Organized Labor

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 23, 2015

United Automobile Workers union warily enters talks on new contracts with Detroit's Big 3 as Ford announces it is moving small-car production from Michigan plant to undisclosed lower-wage nation in 2018. MORE

Jul. 17, 2015

Jul. 12, 2015

American Federation of Teachers gives Hillary Rodham Clinton early endorsement for president, boosting her pro-labor credentials just as she is set to deliver address on economy and plight of middle-class; federation leader Randi Weingarten is longtime supporter of Clinton. MORE

Jul. 10, 2015

Citi Bike employees reach agreement for union contract with Transport Workers Union Local 100, first for bike-share workers in the country. MORE

Jul. 7, 2015

Adam Liptak Sidebar column notes that Supreme Court justices have sent signals that next term will feature cases about solitary confinement, constitutionality of death penalty and constitutionality of requiring non-union members to pay union fees. MORE

Jul. 1, 2015

Supreme Court agrees to hear case Friedrichs v California Teachers Assn, in which California teachers are challenging public-sector union requiring non-members to pay union fees; organized labor leaders express concern about court's decision to hear case, while conservatives, who have long sought to limit power of public unions, hail decision. MORE

Jun. 15, 2015

Rachel L Swarns The Working Life column examines successful effort by Gawker employees to form a union, first for a large digital media outlet; observes that most employees sought union as a way of obtaining stability in turbulent industry that was racked by layoffs during Great Recession and ongoing recovery. MORE

Jun. 14, 2015

Labor unions, reeling from decades of diminished reach and recent anti-union laws, prove their remaining clout by derailing deal that would have given Pres Obama wide authority to negotiate Trans-Pacific Partnership; display of force turned on unusual level of cohesion as various groups across labor movement banded together to pressure Democrats into opposing legislation; had feared that deal would accelerate loss of blue-collar jobs. MORE

Jun. 14, 2015

Gov Scott Walker hopes to take his anti-union right-to-work movement beyond borders of Wisconsin, state where labor movement began century ago, as he begins to define his presidential candidacy; ironworker Randy Bryce, a member of Milwaukee Ironworkers Local 8, is leading backlash against Walker's proposals. MORE

Jun. 13, 2015

Joe Nocera Op-Ed column predicts that, should Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker decide to join Republican presidential primary lineup, his record of stripping public employees unions of their collective-bargaining rights will be the core of his campaign; holds there is little need to ponder what would happen to nation's organized labor if Walker makes it to White House. MORE

Jun. 10, 2015

New York City Council will vote on bill to regulate carwash industry with aim of improving conditions for workers, who are often undocumented and subject to unsafe working conditions and wage theft; carwash owners say measure, which would include provision for workers to join union, would put them out of business. MORE

Jun. 5, 2015

Gov Jay Nixon vetoes measure that would have made Missouri 26th so-called right-to-work-state; remains unclear whether legislature will be able to muster votes to override veto. MORE

Jun. 5, 2015

Gawker Media employees vote by wide margin to form union, becoming first major digital media company to do so; management has encouraged effort; group aims to formalize ad hoc agreements and to push for better pay and benefits. MORE

Jun. 5, 2015

Pres Obama, pushing Congress to grant him powers to negotiate trade deals, has leaned particularly hard on the 45 members of Congressional Black Caucus; Obama has implied that decision to deny him negotiating leeway, granted to other modern presidents, smacks of racial bias; black legislators are in uncomfortable position of deciding between support for black president and deep pressure from trade unions opposing Trans-Pacific deal. MORE

May. 30, 2015

Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, umbrella group of local unions that backed nationwide push to increase minimum wage to $15 hourly, is appealing to Los Angeles City Council to exempt union workers from wage hike requirement enacted by city; argues provision excluding union workers would give business owners flexibility in offering better benefits packages in lieu of higher wages. MORE

May. 30, 2015

Op-Ed article by legal scholar Jonathan M Smith asserts police unions' efforts to shield their members from accountability in matters of excessive force have played significant role in diminishing public trust; points to unions' long history of resistance to reforms; says reform is beneficial not only to communities but to officers themselves. MORE

May. 14, 2015

Missouri's Republican-controlled General Assembly approves legislation that would put right-to-work policy in place; vote falls short of number needed to override likely veto by Gov Jay Nixon. MORE

May. 10, 2015

Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, New York City's largest police union, has been defined for years by loud, combative approach of president Patrick J Lynch, whose highly publicized clash with Mayor Bill de Blasio has now created dissent among members; Brian Fusco and Ronald Wilson are running for his seat in first contested PBA election in ten years. MORE

May. 9, 2015

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra signs new contract with its musicians, which, along with fund-raising campaign, will enable orchestra to hire 14 more full-time performers; successful collaboration between management and labor worked to turn financially struggling orchestra around. MORE

May. 6, 2015

News Analysis; police unions in many cities, which have basked in nearly impregnable political positions for decades, are now scrambling to adapt amid series of high-profile incidents involving accusations of misconduct and overreach; unions are viewed as characteristically immovable when it comes to what they see as large, institutional threats. MORE

May. 5, 2015

Coalition of labor unions and contractors begin media and lobbying campaign in effort to makes changes to 421-a tax abatement program, which they say gives developers in New York large tax breaks but little incentive to provide affordable housing; program is scheduled to expire on June 15 unless Legislature takes action. MORE

May. 4, 2015

Measure that would strip pensions from corrupt New York State officials under new ethics laws has stalled in State Assembly; provision requires changes to State Constitution, and has received intense opposition from public-sector unions that say it could be used to target their members in addition to elected officials. MORE

May. 3, 2015

Republican lawmakers in several states are endeavoring to overturn laws setting prescribed wages on public construction projects; critics warn that moves will lower wages and are part of Republican effort to weaken unions; Republicans say bills will help budgets of struggling cities and taxpayers. MORE

May. 3, 2015

Ross Douthat Op-Ed column submits that right-wing support of police unions has left them unburdened by criticism that conservatives lob at other public sector organized labor groups; holds police union reforms are badly needed; argues that death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore underscores need to discipline and suspend unfit police officers. MORE

Apr. 21, 2015

Teachers' unions nationwide are pushing back on annual tests given to elementary and middle school students, after years of being criticized on issues like tenure, collective bargaining rights and teacher evaluations; push against testing comes as Congress considers how to revise 2001 No Child Left Behind law, which emphasizes test scores and punitive measures for failing schools; unions are working closely with parents who oppose rigorous testing called for by Common Core. MORE

Apr. 21, 2015

Court dispute between pilots and Allegiant Air chief executive Maurice J Gallagher Jr over airline's maintenance operations has put airline's low-cost business model in spotlight; pilots threatened to strike over work conditions, which airline management has suggested is part of pilot union's negotiating tactics over contract. MORE

Apr. 20, 2015

Actors' Equity, union representing some 6,500 stage actors in Los Angeles, faces rift with many of its own members as it seeks to seize on national shifts in minimum wage debate; union is pushing theaters to pay actors state minimum wage of $9 an hour, but many members say they are willing to continue working for a pittance, fearing that theaters will fail financially and deprive them of chance to hone their craft. MORE

Apr. 20, 2015

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union plans to seek injunction from National Labor Relations Board that would require Walmart to rehire all 2,200 workers who were laid off after abrupt closing of five stores. MORE

Apr. 19, 2015

Police unions around United States, accustomed to reflexively defending officers following accusations of wrongdoing, are rethinking approach as public anger grows in response to series of police shootings of black men; some unions are adopting inward examination of department shortcomings, though many acknowledge difficulty of protecting officers while examining larger social picture. MORE

Apr. 17, 2015

Employees at Gawker Media announce plans to unionize; plan remains in early stages, but leaders are optimistic about participation and say announcement follows long consideration of move. MORE

Apr. 16, 2015

Editorial welcomes nationwide protests in favor of higher minimum wage as 2016 presidential contest takes form; holds every candidate should be obliged to spell out their stance on matter; observes Republicans have been particularly evasive about wages and other labor issues. MORE

Apr. 7, 2015

Victor H Gotbaum, who as director of District Council 37 in New York was one of the nation's most prominent municipal union leaders for decades, dies at age 93; combative Brookylyn native played a pivotal role in saving New York City from bankruptcy in 1975. MORE

Apr. 7, 2015

Lawrence Downes Editorial Appreciation of Victor Gotbaum, tough-talking union leader who helped rescue New York City from financial ruin in 1970s by deferring pay raises and investing pension funds in city bonds; holds Gotbaum, who has died at age 93, demonstrated remarkable ability to put personal goals aside in favor of greater good, an increasingly rare trait in politics. MORE

Apr. 7, 2015

News Analysis; decision by Chicago Cubs to demote budding superstar Kris Bryant to minor leagues has set off labor dispute, with Major League Baseball Players Assn accusing team of doing so simply to save money in the future; dispute highlights lesson for all unions regarding how stars and lesser players, or high-earning members and low-earning members within a labor organization, can work together for common goals. MORE

Apr. 6, 2015

Series of legal decisions and number of anti-corruption investigations have upended electoral landscape in Chicago by dismantling Democratic political machine that dominated elections for decades; change explains in part Mayor Rahm Emanuel's difficult re-election campaign, and accounts for large role organized labor has played in election, particularly in way Chicago Teachers Union has backed Emanuel's rival Jesus G Garcia. MORE

Apr. 1, 2015

Argentinian transportation workers and others go on one-day strike, leaving main roads and terminals bereft of traffic; union leaders call strike to demand government change income tax rules. MORE

Apr. 1, 2015

Pres Obama blocks Congressional resolution that would have reversed rules to speed up and streamline union elections; confrontation represents new front in battle over Obama's use of executive action. MORE

Mar. 31, 2015

Organizers are planning for April 15 gathering to change fast-food workers' struggle for $15 hourly wage into national movement of all low-wage workers; demonstration is meant to bring pressure on McDonald's and tie the spirit of labor organizing with banner of civil rights. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

Illinois Gov Bruce Rauner instructs state agencies to withhold money from nonunion workers' paychecks that would ordinarily go to union coffers until judge settles case on fees paid to unions by workers who choose not to join; unions condemn move. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

News Analysis; some Midwestern states are rolling back collective bargaining rights for government workers, including pensions and health coverage, but excluding police and firefighters; labor experts say exemptions have no substantive merit, as other public workers have much more dangerous jobs. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge Christine E Dibble rules employment policies of T-Mobile violate United States labor law by restricting workers' ability to organize and other rights; labor experts say decision could have major repercussions for unions. MORE

Mar. 17, 2015

Labor organizers say McDonald’s workers in 19 cities have filed complaints over burns from popping grease, a lack of protective equipment and other workplace hazards. MORE

Mar. 16, 2015

Profile of Modesta Toribio, senior organizer for the Make the Road Action Fund in Brooklyn, who has helped win contracts for eight of the 10 unionized carwashes in New York City; Modesta, known for highly energetic, vocal style, has imported her own version of Latin American labor activism while subverting its male-dominated traditions. MORE

Mar. 15, 2015

Tony-nominated actress Marin Ireland is leading group of actors and theater professionals in push to unions to establish clear-cut protocols for registering and handling grievances about harassment; Ireland was victim of assault by fellow actor during London production and says in unregulated world of theater, victims, especially young ones, have little recourse when suffering abuse. MORE

Mar. 15, 2015

Op-Ed article by authors Ethan J Kytle and Blain Roberts examines history of song We Shall Overcome, unknown to many Americans; says story of song illuminates how the civil rights movement was built on interracial unionism that challenged low-wage economy in South, blending of issues of both race and class; suggests this blend is particularly relevant today, with rising economic inequality, racial polarization and hostility to unions. MORE

Mar. 11, 2015

Wisconsin AFL-CIO and two local unions file lawsuit seeking to temporarily block law signed by Gov Scott Walker prohibiting unions from requiring non-members to pay equivalent of dues. MORE

Mar. 10, 2015

Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker signs right-to-work bill into law, allowing workers to not pay fees to unions; critics say Walker's motivation for signing bill, which makes Wisconsin 25th state in the country to adopt policy, is to boost his standing among candidates vying for Republican presidential nomination. MORE

Mar. 7, 2015

Wisconsin State Assembly approves right-to-work legislation, which bars unions from requiring private-sector workers to pay equivalent of dues. MORE

Mar. 6, 2015

Illinois labor unions file suit seeking to invalidate executive order from Gov Bruce Rauner ending requirement that state workers pay union dues even if they do not want to join a union. MORE

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Citing his long legislative record and improving performance in opinion polls, Senator Bernie Sanders told leaders of the union that he was best equipped to advance the rights and benefits of organized labor.

Mike Huckabee extended a hand to an unlikely audience on Wednesday: the leaders of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the umbrella organization of the labor movement.

Hillary Rodham Clinton called for tax relief for middle-class families, an increase in collective bargaining and other incentives to raise middle-class wages during an economic address at the New School in New York.